Dense Lanice conchilega and other polychaetes in tide-swept infralittoral sand

SS.SCS.ICS.SLan

SS.SCS.ICS.SLan recorded () and expected () distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

Habitat description

Distribution of biotope in Britain and Ireland

Present on all coasts of Britain with the exception of the north east coast of Scotland and south east coast of England. Reported in Ireland at Rosbin Cove in Roaringwater Bay, and along the coast from Kilmichael Point southwards around Cahore Point to Raven Point, County Wexford.

National importance

Not available

Description of biotope

For a full description of this biotope including characterizing species, distribution, survey information and references visit JNCC

Where strong tidal streams or wave action and coarse sand occur in the shallow sublittoral, dense beds of Lanice conchilega may occur. Several other species of polychaete also occur as infauna e.g. Scoloplos armiger, Chaetozone setosa and Arenicola marina. The dense Lanice biotope (LGS.Lan) on certain lower shores may be a littoral extension of this biotope. This biotope also appears to have a limited occurrence in some Scottish lagoonal entrance channels and some sea lochs. Overall, there may be more than one entity in this biotope. (Information taken from the Marine Biotope Classification for Britain and Ireland, Version 97.06: Connor et al., 1997a, b).